Los Rakas

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Los Rakas
Origin East Oakland, California, United States
Genres Hip hop, reggaeton, reggae, dancehall
Years active 2006 (2006)–present
Website losrakas.com
Members Raka Rich
Raka Dun

Los Rakas are a bilingual hip-hop group made up of Panamanian cousins Raka Rich and Raka Dun based in Oakland, California. Their style consists of a mixture of hip-hop influences with reggaeton, reggae, and dancehall.[1]

Background

Los Rakas derive their name from the Panamanian slur "Rakataka," a derogatory word for someone from the ghetto, or an impoverished neighborhood.[1]

In 2010, Los Rakas entered a new era of their career with their hand-picked slot alongside Cypress Hill, Snoop Dogg, Erykah Badu, and Manu Chao at Snoop Dogg's Smoke Out Festival.[2]

From there, the group has gone on to release their debut EP Chancletas y Camisetas Bordada and prepared a track with prolific producer Diplo.[3]

Los Rakas have achieved widespread success without the need of a major label. Their music is released via iTunes, but they also release tracks for free via Bandcamp.[4]

Members

While both members are of Panamanian descent, the duo met in East Oakland, California at a relative's house when they were teenagers.[5] The group began in earnest by producing and releasing mixtapes alongside remixes of other songs.

Raka Rich was born in Northern California and moved to Panama City, where he lived until he was 12. From childhood, he was drawn to music and seduced by the variations between sound and rhythm. Soon, he began writing his own lyrics mixing a variety of different styles.

Raka Dun (pronounced Doon) is one of ten children and was raised in the barrio of Nuevo Veranillo, Panama. Raka Dun began entertaining at the age of 10, touring his home country with a traditional folkloric dance group. [6]

Discography

  • El Negrito Dun Dun y Ricardo (Unreleased)
  • Raka Love (2012)
  • Chancletas y Camisetas Bordada (2011)
  • Panabay Twist 2: La Tanda del Bus (2009)
  • Panabay Twist (2006)

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 LosRakas.com Los Rakas Retrieved on 24 September 2012
  2. ↑ Los Rakas.com Los Rakas Retrieved on 24 September 2012
  3. ↑ Audible Treats Retrieved on 10 October 2012
  4. ↑ Retrieved on 10 October 2012
  5. ↑ http://www.thefader.com/2011/02/25/interview-los-rakas/ Oaklandish] The Fader Retrieved on 24 September 2012
  6. ↑ http://www.tr3s.com/music/artists/los-rakas/#bio] MTV Tr3s

External links

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